Mangrove Wilderness: Nature's Nursery - Hardcover

As she did in Compost Critters (1993, our favorite among her fine photographic nature books), Lavies begins with particular species, describes how they fit into their ecosystem, and implicitly suggests that such intricate relationships are fundamental to all life. The red mangroves' propagation and habits of growth are intriguing. Among other things, seedlings stay attached to the parent tree until old enough to be salt resistant, then may root nearby or survive for as much as a year while floating great distances. The Florida grove depicted here supports a wealth of species, from microscopic forms that feed on its fallen leaves and the crustaceans and fish that carry the resulting nutrients up the food chain to alligators, raccoons, and many different birds. A final note gives a fascinating glimpse of Lavies's strategies for taking her splendid color photos, which include underwater shots, an aerial view, and an informative series on the mangrove's life cycle as well as more conventional wildlife pictures. A fascinating and beautiful book. (Nonfiction. 9+) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 4-6. Former National Geographic staff photographer Lavies navigated her small sailboat among red mangrove islands along Florida's swampy, southwest coast. There she documented the underwater food chain that thrives around the mangrove roots, eyed a rat snake patiently stalking prey among the mangrove branches, and spied a variety of water birds that feast and nest in the shelter of the leafy mangrove trees. Whether silhouetting a white ibis perched on a branch at sunset or closing in on the mangrove's flowers and sprouting seeds, Lavies' often striking photographs accompany her informative, highly readable account of the diverse ecology of a mangrove wilderness. Especially important in tropical climes where the mangrove thrives, this book will also make a contribution to collections in other areas. Ellen Mandel